We’ve been working for years to reverse the tide of privatisation. This has been stemmed, although the battle is far from over. We also advocate pro-public solutions, including public-public partnerships. Now, the normally pro-private European Commission has formally released a restricted call for proposals that will release €40 million in grants for public-public partnerships. The concept brings together public utilities from Europe and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States to promote public services best practices. The process allows trade unions who work with the utilities, and NGOs, to participate in the strengthening of services.
Project applicants must provide 25 percent of the funding, which can include staff costs and other in-kind contributions. The EC will be looking for projects that involve significant local participation, and that can be sustained after the original grant funding is finished.
Public Services International (PSI), the European Federation of Public Services Union (EPSU) and many NGO allies worked hard to get this initiative adopted by the EC. We hope local governments will be quick to jump aboard with proposals. The reward will be in finding ways to spend public funds more efficiently on better, more sustainable service delivery.
Comments